Best Buy Taking Game Trade-Ins; Target Taking Games and Electronics

By Geoff Duncan Published August 26, 2010

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Tired of your old games and gear? Retailing giants Best Buy and Target have launched new trade-in programs designed to get people to bring in their old and tired merchandise…and exchange it for credit towards new games and gizmos.

First up, discount retailer Target has begun a trade-in program for video games and mobile electronics. The program is currently only available in northern California stores, but the retailer plans to expand it to some 850 retail locations by the end of the year. The program enables customers to bring in their unwanted cell phone, iPhone, iPod touch, or video game in exchange for gift card credit. The

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“Target Electronics Trade-In offers our guests an opportunity to upgrade their consumer electronics items for less and Target Mobile ensures a convenient cell phone shopping experience,” said Target senior VP Mark Schindele, in a statement.

The amount of credit customers receive for their devices and games will vary from just a few dollars up to “more than $200 per item,” depending on the item and its condition.

Target also offers an online-only service where customers can trade in DVDs and other used electronics items for a gift card.

On a similar note, Best Buy has announced that some 600 Best Buy locations will start accepting video game trade-ins at some 600 locations this week, with more locations to follow. Customers can bring in their pre-owned games and trade them for an instant Best Buy gift card that can be used to purchase anything in the store; Best Buy also plans to start offering pre-owned games for sale shortly. To promote the program, customer who trade in their ames starting August 29 will receive an additional $20 Best Buy Gift Card on top of the trade-in value on over 100 game titles. Best Buy also offers an online trade-in program for games where customers mail in their games and receive a gift card via mail a few weeks later; in-store trade-in prices will match the prices shown on Best Buy’s online service.

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